Toughest-ever I’m a Celeb sees ‘three stars seek medical treatment’ after Richard Madeley’s exit
Has I’m a Celebrity gone TOO FAR? Toughest-ever show sees ‘three stars seek medical treatment’ after Richard Madeley’s exit
Arlene Phillips, 78, is reportedly on painkillers because she is in ‘chronic pain’Naughty Boy, 36, is said to be having counselling over his mother’s health, while Frankie Bridge has ‘developed a rash’Bosses are reportedly worried they may loose more stars on medical groundsIt comes after Richard Madeley was forced to leave the show after health scareThe presenter, 65, fell ill early on Thursday morning and was taken to hospital
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Fears that I’m A Celebrity bosses have made this year’s series too tough are mounting after Richard Madeley’s shock departure yesterday.
The ITV show has been dramatically thrown into chaos after three of this year’s contestants – Dame Arlene Phillips, Naughty Boy and Frankie Bridge – sought urgent medical treatment.
Madeley – arguably this year’s biggest signing at a reported £200,000 fee – was forced to quit I’m A Celeb after being admitted to Glan Clwyd Hospital. He was unable to reenter the castle after breaking the Covid-safe bubble to be treated.
At 78, former Strictly judge Phillips is the oldest contestant on the show. She is reportedly being medicated for ‘chronic pain’ while producer Naughty Boy, 36, is said to be struggling mentally. And Saturdays singer Bridge has developed a rash that doctors are battling to diagnose, The Sun reported.
A spokesman for I’m A Celebrity refused to be drawn on concerns that this year’s series is too tough for the contestants, who are forced to complete gruelling bushtucker trials to get food. They are also having to camp inside a ‘freezing’ Gwrych Castle in Wales. Normally the show is filmed in Australia, but was moved to the UK last year during the pandemic.
Madeley, 65, became ill after crawling through fish guts to get the group a meal. He had also complained about the castle’s ‘freezing’ temperatures.
I’m A Celebrity bosses are reportedly fearing they may lose more of the show’s stars following Richard Madeley’s departure on Thursday (pictured Arlene Phillips and Naughty Boy)
Health scare: Richard, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial
In chaos? The series is said to have been thrown into chaos behind-the-scenes after three of the celebrities have had to have urgent medical treatment (pictured Frankie Bridge)
He’s out: It comes after Richard, 65, arguably the show’s biggest signing, was forced to leave I’m A Celeb on Thursday after being admitted to hospital
The Sun reports that Phillips is on painkillers for ‘chronic pain’, while Naughty Boy is having a ‘tough time’ mentally due to being away from his dementia-stricken mum. And Bridge is said to have developed a rash and has had to seek medical attention.
A source said: ‘There are growing concerns for Arlene who is really struggling and in chronic pain, she is being helped around by the likes of David Ginola and Naughty Boy and is looking really frail.
‘It’s hard enough roughing it in the ruins of an old castle let alone at 78 years old. She is a trooper and wants to show everyone how tough she is.’
The insider said Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan, is having counselling over his mother’s health.
‘He’s been speaking to the show’s psych team, led by Sandra Scott, on a specially set-up iPad to make sure he is staying upbeat,’ an insider said. ‘This is the longest he has been away from his mother since her diagnosis so they are keen to make sure he’s not spiralling quietly.’
Phillips and Naughty Boy have both previously expressed their desire to leave Gwyrch Castle after struggling in breakout camp, The Clink.
The music producer had been particularly vocal about his desire to leave following the Treacherous Traps trial, with the star remarking: ‘My time here is done!’
He told his fellow campmates: ‘I do think my time here is done. I had a feeling earlier and I was thinking about mum and obviously I love you guys. I don’t think after knowing what the Main Camp probably knew what they were putting me through knowing I did the challenge earlier – I don’t know if I could ever join that camp.’
Naughty Boy’s fellow campers were quick to reassure him but he continued his threats quit altogether and was joined by Phillips – even after the news that they were to join the Main Camp.
Meanwhile, Phillips said: ‘I feel exactly the same. For me, I was hoping I was going to come out here strong and proud, but it hasn’t started in the right way. I find it unacceptable. I know that I can’t go on and my mind isn’t going to change in the morning, one night isn’t going to change.’
Medical treatment: Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan, is reportedly having counselling over his mother’s health, while Frankie is said to have developed a rash
Family man: Before entering the jungle, he detailed his mother’s health battles, as he said: ‘I think it is important for people like myself to create awareness about it’
The crisis comes after Madeley was forced to leave the show after being rushed to hospital with an unknown medical condition.
In a major blow to the show as one of their top signings, the broadcaster, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill hours after participating in a gruelling trial and complaining about the castle’s temperatures.
In a statement, Madeley confirmed he had to quit the series after breaking the show’s ‘Covid bubble’. His daughter Chloe, 34, revealed her father is ‘livid’ he can’t go back into the I’m A Celebrity camp.
He said in a statement: ‘Hello all! Richard here – firstly just to say that I’m absolutely FINE. I started to feel briefly unwell in the small hours of the morning and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
‘By leaving the camp, I had consequently broken the Covid ‘bubble’ and as such I’ve had to leave the castle and all the wonderful celebs that remain in the camp.
‘Obviously I’m gutted to be leaving so soon but the safety of all the campmates is the number one priority. I’m incredibly excited to watch their journey continue…even more so at the prospect of being somewhere a little warmer than Gwrych Castle…
Back on track: It comes after Arlene and Naughty Boy threatened to leave the competition earlier thsis week, with the music producer remarking: ‘My time here is done!’
‘Thank you to everyone who supported me on my brief but completely unforgettable adventure – I’ve made some great friends and honestly had the time of my life.
A spokesman for I’m A Celebrity added: ‘Our strict Covid protocols means Richard has sadly had to leave the show as he is no longer in the bubble the celebrities form when entering the castle. He has been a truly brilliant camp mate and we thank him for being part of this series.’
It was then revealed on Madeley that Richard is still ‘too ill’ to appear on Good Morning Britain on Monday.
Discussing his experience on Friday show, fellow GMB star Richard Arnold also spoke of the host’s whopping £200,000 fee, admitting he’s ‘not sure he’ll forfeit his fee yet’.
Ben Shephard admitted that show bosses are unsure whether the former This Morning anchor would be well enough to join them, stating: ‘Apparently we’ll be talking to him on Monday. Maybe we won’t. We’re hearing he’s too ill. Okay, hopefully we’ll talk to Richard on Monday.’
Sharing his opinion on Madeley having to leave the camp, Ben added: ‘It was short and sweet. It’s such a shame because Richard was the person who was trying to persuade the others not to leave and all of a sudden, he’s gone.
‘It sounds like it was a bit of a Covid-19 protocol issue, he broke the bubble to go to hospital and then couldn’t go back in.
‘I feel like someone’s made a bit of a mistake there. It’s such a shame though because he’s already been such an integral part of the show.’
‘Gutted’: In a statement Richard, who was believed to be at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl, reassured fans he’s ‘fine’ after his health scare
Eeek: Naughty Boy was ready to leave after losing a gruelling trial to Snoochie Shy
Having second thoughts: Arlene said: ‘I feel exactly the same. For me, I was hoping I was going to come out here strong and proud, but it hasn’t started in the right way’
